Programs

IMBA pursues its mission by building public awareness of mountain bike issues, influencing policy development, advancing trail building practices and fostering chapter and club development. Key departments and programs that advance these efforts include the following:

IMBA is the hub for organizing public lands policy work via our network of chapters and clubs throughout the world. We provide volunteer training, business and program resources and coordination and communication to help build local capacity for community outreach.

IMBA's Destinations Program helps to connect mountain bikers worldwide to great ideas and resources for all their bike-related travel, including information on incredible riding areas, package tours, as well as IMBA-friendly accommodations, outfitters, bike shops, tourism bureaus, skills camps, bike parks and more.

IMBA's Government Affairs department helps create well-reasoned, bike-friendly public policies and legislation. IMBA works with all levels of government and especially so in Washington, D.C. including the U.S. Congress, and all major federal land management agencies.

How do mountain bikers learn to ride skillfully and safely? Traditionally it’s been by trial and error (ouch!), or with the guidance of a more experienced rider. IMBA’s Instructor Certification Program equips chapters, clubs and individuals to offer polished training sessions that teach a broad range of bike handling and safety skills.

Print and online maps do much more than point out where the trail goes. Through the use of text, logos and other visual symbols, they can offer guidance about trail etiquette and user relations, showcase sustainable design or strengthening advocacy efforts. For these reasons, and with major assistance from Shimano, IMBA has launched its Mapping Initiative.

IMBA and its chapters and supporting organization are drawing on decades of accumulated trailbuilding expertise to offer new models for mountain bike trails. These models range from Gateway Trails that can be built in small parks to IMBA Ride Centers, large-scale and purpose-built trail systems. Old and new trail systems alike are eligible for IMBA's Epic designation. An IMBA Epic is as much about mountain bike friendly communities as it is the trails supported and cared for by those communities.

IMBA and Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) partner to promote and enhance volunteer stewardship on local trails and public lands. The IMBA network mobilizes 50,000 volunteers on thousands of projects each year and works with local REI stores to promote volunteer training and service. Join a volunteer day or connect with local volunteer chapters and resources via Teaming for Trails.

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The guidance on this website, and in other IMBA documents, is for reference only and should not be interpreted as a standard, specification or regulation.Mountain biking is inherently risky and could result in injury or death.